Sergeant, Humane Law Enforcement

How to apply: Please submit your application on Job Posting here. For more information about benefits, visit our Careers Page.

San Diego Humane Society is hiring full-time Sergeants for our Humane Law Enforcement team!

We are anticipating that this position may become available in the near future and are beginning the hiring process now to build a pipeline of qualified candidates. While the opening is contingent on a position becoming available in the near future, we are proactively reviewing applications and interviewing candidates to ensure we can move quickly if the role officially opens. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit your application at this time.

How you’ll impact our mission:

At San Diego Humane Society, we’re united by our mission to Inspire Compassion. Humane Officer Sergeants impact the lives of more than 40,000 animals each year by leading Officers and patrolling designated areas to enforce state laws and local ordinances, ensure humane treatment of animals, issue citations, investigate complaints involving animal neglect and/or cruelty, and educate the public regarding proper animal care.

This role delivers service at the gold standard level in alignment with the SDHS Way, to meet the needs of animals and the people who love them by leading with compassion, finding creative solutions, providing personalized care and building connections. If you’re passionate about making an impact in the animal welfare movement, we’d love to talk to you.

What’s in it for you?

At SDHS, we’re proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and commit to being a place where every person – staff, volunteer, and guest – can feel a sense of belonging. We support and invest in employees through conscious delivery of benefits and a workplace environment based on our Core Values. 

As an employee you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and paid time-off (including your Birthday Day Off!)
• Comprehensive benefits package, training and well-being programs
• 403(b) retirement plan with 5% match after 1 year
• Free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and spay/neuter services
• …and so much more!

What you’ll do: 

• Provide leadership to officers within their assigned campus, ensuring appropriate documentation and departmental procedures are followed for all cases
• Be responsible for assisting with all aspects of selection, training, evaluating, and disciplining Humane Officers in cooperation with the Operations and Administrative Captain and Chief of HLE
• Ability to perform all Officer duties and responsibilities including enforcement of animal-related ordinances in contracting jurisdictions as well as other contractual services
• Humanely handle, capture, restrain, confine and/or transport domestic animals and wildlife using proper humane equipment, methods, and techniques
• Investigate and enforce animal cruelty laws and all activities associated therewith
• Take animals under protective custody as evidence in crimes
• Issue Citations, prepare and execute search warrants and arrest warrants, prepare cases for filing criminal charges with City Attorney/District Attorney
• Analyze situations and apply established procedures and good judgment to enforce animal related laws
• Utilize tact, judgment and strategy in dealing with a wide variety of people, both friendly and hostile
• Explain and demonstrate proper animal care to a diverse group of people in the public service arena

What we’re looking for:

• AA degree or equivalent experience required, preferably in Administration of Justice or related field of study.  
• Two (2) years of animal control, law enforcement or investigations experience required.
• One (1) year of supervisor experience strongly preferred.
• Training specified in subparagraph (D) and the basic training for a Level 2 Reserve Officer by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training or completed an approved police powers program (832 Penal Code) required.
• Must also satisfy the requirements of Section 1029, 1030, and 1031 of the Government Code. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be approved by SDHS insurance carrier to drive a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.

Location & Hours: Based at our San Diego Campus, with expected travel to all campuses and across San Diego County. This position works a 4/10 Alternative Work Schedule.

Pay: Starting range is between $32.21 - $39.46 per hour and is eligible for an hourly bilingual-Spanish premium.

The listed hiring range for this position depicts the target range of pay rates for candidates. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. Compensation for internal candidates may increase beyond the listed range based on performance over time.
For all candidates, the actual starting pay rate is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to your years of related education and experience, internal pay equity, and position location.